Topic: Can this be fixed?

[howard2k]

I was at my local Canadian Tire and they took one glance and said that the tire had to be replaced.    Are they just trying to gouge me??  

Click link to see tire:
http://www.wrrx.com/images/Howard2k/1001926.jpg

[bf7890]

Howard2k, perhaps not. Depends on how far in the nail has penetrated the tire.  

I went to Costco to change back from snow tires to all-seasons. They found a nail embedded in my tire and told me that it needed to be changed. I took the tire back to the store where I had originally bought them ... they simply removed the nail and inspected for any deeper damage. None at all! Tire was fine.

[initial_D]

A couple years ago, I had a nail in my new snow tire, at the similiar spot as yours, right at the edge of the tread. Went to a chain tire shop, they wouldn't fix it, try to sell me a new tire.  

So, look into the phone book, called a few independent tire places. One tire shop who had been in business for 25 years +, said it is no problem. They put a patch inside the tire. The total was $15.00, didn't need to re-balance, they just put it back at the same spot as before. The guy who fixed the tire said they can also patch sidewalls too if the damage is not too severe.

All 4 snows still have over 80% tread left, worked very well the last 2 winters.

(Message edited by initial_d on July 31, 2005)

[capriracer]

Current tire repair standards would put your situation outside the repairable area.  The screw is in an area where the steel belts end, and tire manufacturers don't allow repairs to this area because this is the most highly stressed area of the tire.  Disturbing this area might cause a tread separation (technically a belt leaving belt separation)

Stay away from anyone who would repair a tire with a puncture this far from the center of the tread.  Also avoid those guys who only use a patch (or worse - a plug).  Current repair standards call for a combination - plug/ patch - to seal the air chamber and to prevent the steel from being exposed to moisture.

Hope this helps.

(Message edited by CapriRacer on July 31, 2005)